Women’s History Month and the Impact on State and Local Government
Women’s History Month is celebrated throughout March, recognizing women’s contributions in government, science, entertainment and more. Initially, Women’s History Month was a local celebration held in Santa Rosa, California. This inaugural moment took place in 1987, and beginning in 1988, both Congress and the President of the United States declared March to be National Women’s History Month.
As we close out the month, the New Jersey League of Municipalities recognizes and celebrates women's extraordinary contributions to our ever-evolving society. We especially would like to underline the heroic and impactful deeds of trailblazing women who assisted in the progression of state and local government. In 1920, women were finally given the right to vote, and New Jersey is known to have taken a strong lead, being the first to enfranchise women after the Revolutionary War. Despite efforts to promote equality, women throughout the Garden State have faced several challenges throughout history; however, today, women have become a formidable political force in State and local government.
“There will never be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.”—Susan B. Anthony.
Women of Firsts in Government
History and current society have shown that women’s leadership is just as crucial as men's leadership. Decision-making and leadership historically have slowly expanded to include women. Another challenge for women was that they were not given equal work opportunities or were placed on executive or superior levels. Over the decades, we’ve learned that profound change includes women's opinions, ideas, skills, and works. And today, the world recognizes how impactful women's governance is to our states and municipalities.
- In 1867, Antoinette Brown Blackwell of Elizabeth, NJ, and Lucy Stone created the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association (NJWSA) and held its first convention. Stone refused to pay her property taxes for a home she purchased in Orange, New Jersey, because she felt it unethical, given that she did not have the right to vote.
- In 1807, New Jersey allowed women the right to vote in school elections. This legislation was later overturned and deemed unconstitutional.
- In 1914, Grace Baxter Fenderson, a New Jersey native, founded the NAACP and joined the fight for Women’s Suffrage.
- In 1925 - Rebecca Estell Bourgeois Winston of Estell Manor became the first woman to serve as mayor in New Jersey. She was also the founder and first mayor of Estell Manor City. According to the Atlantic County website, Winston's former home now serves as a museum and is usually visited during Veterans Day. “It was built in 1832 by Winston's grandfather and remodeled in the 1920s to Colonial Revival style. Atlantic County purchased the house in 1993 and rehabilitated it to provide a museum to serve as a tribute to our local veterans and honor their contributions to our nation’s history.”
- In 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed in the United States, meaning the suffrage amendment was ratified in New Jersey, making it the 29th state to allow women to vote.
- In 1921- Margaret Laird (R) and Jennie Van Ness (R) became the first women elected to the New Jersey Assembly.
- 1925 - Mary Teresa Norton became the first woman to represent New Jersey in Congress. To this date, no one has represented New Jersey; however, before leaving the race, First Lady Tamm Murphy aimed to become the first woman ever.
- In 1951 - Madaline A. (Worthy) Williams became the first Black woman elected to the New Jersey Assembly.
- In 1994 – Christine Whitman was the first and only female governor of New Jersey.
- In 2010 – Kim Guadagno was the first (and woman) to be New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor.
- In 2010 - Judge Esther Salas was the first Hispanic woman appointed to the federal New Jersey District Court. She was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama.
- In 2011, Mildred Scott was the first woman of color elected sheriff in Middlesex County, NJ.
- In 2015, Bonnie Watson Coleman was the first woman of color to represent the New Jersey Congress.
- In 2018 – Sheila Oliver became the first woman of color to serve as New Jersey Lieutenant Governor.
- In 2019, Saddaf Jaffer became the first woman of South Asian descent to serve as mayor of a town in New Jersey and the first Muslim woman to serve as mayor in the United States.
- In 2020 - Fabiana Pierre-Louis?was the first woman of color sworn in as an associate justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court on Sept. 1, 2020.
- In 2022 - M. Teresa Ruiz became the first Latina elected majority leader in the New Jersey Senate.
In addition to politics and government, Women’s History Month recognizes women’s work in many areas, including Science, Mathematics, Medical, and Arts. Influential women in these transformative fields, including government, helped create a more equitable country. It’s important to take time this month to recognize their work and achievements and the work that still must be done on all levels.
Lastly, in honor of Women's History, we would like to acknowledge the women on the League staff for their diligent, unwavering hard work in providing invaluable services to our members. Just two generations ago, women were hugely underrepresented and underpaid in the workplace. We celebrate how far professional women have come despite the challenges faced throughout history.
Names (Left to Right)
Allen, Suzanne Confidential Executive Administrator/Publications
Bijou, Donna Contract Administrator
Bradley, Ciara Research Associate
Buckelew, Lori Deputy Executive Director/Dir. of Gov't Affairs
DeLany, Sue Secretary Administrative Assistant
Harris, Johnnifer Assistant Financial Administrator
Holland-Htut, Danielle Senior Manager, Continuing Education
Kapadia, Tasneem Advertising Manager
Kizer, Marie Director, Finance and Administration
Kotch, Dee Municipal Directory & Administrative Support
Kouyate, Chanelle Legislative Administrator
Lawrence, Kristin Director, Conference Business Development
Samhammer, Taran Director, Communications, Marketing & Technology
Spiezio, Amy Managing Editor
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate,cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.